сегодня
Bitcoin’s design incorporates a hard cap on the total number of coins that can ever exist. This limit is set at 21 million BTC. This scarcity is a fundamental aspect of Bitcoin’s monetary policy.
Table of contents
The 21 Million Limit
The 21 million limit is a key feature. As of October 2025, over 19 million bitcoins have already been mined, leaving approximately 1.5 million bitcoins left to be mined.
Reaching the Limit
The pre-set timeline dictates a slow release of the remaining bitcoins. Experts predict the last bitcoin will be mined around 2140.
Slightly Less than 21 Million?
Due to how Bitcoin handles small numbers, the actual total supply will be slightly less than 21 million because of rounding down when dividing rewards.
сегодня
Can the Limit Be Changed?
Theoretically, the Bitcoin protocol could be changed to alter the 21 million limit. However, this would require a consensus among the vast majority of Bitcoin network participants, including miners, node operators, and users. Such a change, often referred to as a hard fork, is highly unlikely due to the potential for disruption and devaluation of the existing Bitcoin. The immutability of the supply cap is a core tenet for many Bitcoin holders, making any proposal to alter it face strong resistance.
The Role of Scarcity
The limited supply of Bitcoin is a major factor in its perceived value. Unlike fiat currencies, which can be printed at will by central banks, Bitcoin’s scarcity provides a hedge against inflation and a store of value. This scarcity, combined with increasing adoption, is a key driver of Bitcoin’s price.
What Happens After All Bitcoins Are Mined?
Once all 21 million bitcoins have been mined, miners will no longer receive block rewards. Instead, they will be compensated solely through transaction fees. This shift to a fee-based model is designed to incentivize miners to continue securing the network even after the block reward subsidy disappears. The long-term security and functionality of the Bitcoin network depend on a robust and reliable fee market.
